About
Railholiday

Overview

About
Railholiday

Railholiday is a family company that has built a living providing self-catering accommodation in restored railway carriages. The family started with the restoration of The Old Luggage Van in 1995 and such was the demand that they added The Travelling Post Office to their St Germans station base. They have since added The St Ives Bay SK2 carriage at their second location in Hayle, about 5 miles from St Ives on the west coast of Cornwall.

Each carriage has a different character, and perhaps the most historic is the 48 ft long Travelling Post Office No. 841, built for the Great Western Railway. It went into service in 1889, hauled by the City of Truro on its famous 100 mph run and was originally designed for broad gauge running. Converted to standard gauge in 1891 until its withdrawal in 1934, for many years the carriage formed part of a house in Wales. Now converted to sleep up to six in a combination of double room, sofa bed and bunk beds, The Travelling Post Office is a great place for families, friends and couples alike.

The passenger luggage van also has seen long service, having been built for the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) at Eastleigh in 1896. It was recovered from a site at Wadebridge, Cornwall, in 1995 following its withdrawal from service in August 1932.

What the St Ives Bay carriage might lack in history (it was built in 1957), it makes up in original fittings, including all the compartments, lamp shades, luggage racks, mirrors, blinds and upholstery.

Facilities & Pricing

Price:

Fantastic Value

Under US$100 / €100 / UK £50

Rooms:
4

Open Period:
All year

At St Germans, The Old Luggage Van sleeps four and The Travelling Post Office sleeps six, while The St Ives Bay at Hayle is split into two units that can accommodate two families using separate entrances or larger groups of eight to twelve.

Prices vary according to location and season, with a summer week in The Old Luggage Van from £496.

Children friendly

Coffee & tea facilities in room

Family bedrooms

In-room TV

Refrigerator

Children welcome

Entertainment

Free Parking

Pet friendly

Map & Activities

The picturesque village of St Germans is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has a well-stocked shop and pub with a good food reputation. It is 2 miles from the A38 main road. Hayle is on the west coast of Cornwall, 5 miles from St Ives.

Both locations are on sidings of stations that are still in use, providing interest for rail enthusiasts or connections to activities and day trips by train. St Germans makes a train trip to the Eden Project easy, while Hayle station is within easy walking distance of the golden sands of Hayle beach, Paradise Park and an array of restaurants.

What a fab-u-lous place. Quirky, fun, cosy and in a really excellent location. With a great pub along the road, serving excellent food and a village shop within safe walking distance to send the kids for supplies, this is an excellent holiday destination. Trains direct from Paddington even stop outside, although surprisingly you're undisturbed by them passing. We fitted 5 (2 adults, 3 children) into the Travelling Post Office - and if 2 had been willing to share the double bed, could have fitted 6!
A day trip to Looe on the train was a great adventure. Totnes and Saltash are within equally easy reach.
Great fun. Lovingly restored. Fantastic hosts.
Thank you Lizzy and Dave.

steve

Feb 24 2013

What a fab-u-lous place. Quirky, fun, cosy and in a really excellent location. With a great pub along the road, serving excellent food and a village shop within safe walking distance to send the kids for supplies, this is an excellent holiday destination. Trains direct from Paddington even stop outside, although surprisingly you're undisturbed by them passing. We fitted 5 (2 adults, 3 children) into the Travelling Post Office - and if 2 had been willing to share the double bed, could have fitted 6!
A day trip to Looe on the train was a great adventure. Totnes and Saltash are within equally easy reach.
Great fun. Lovingly restored. Fantastic hosts.
Thank you Lizzy and Dave.

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